The Coast Guard said the drugs were seized in six interdictions by three cutters. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca seized about 500 kilograms from one smuggling vessel. Another cutter, the Tampa, intercepted two vessels, bringing in about 1,855 kilograms. The Tahoma itself intercepted three smugglers and confiscated an estimated 3,962 kilograms of cocaine.

The Coast Guard remains active in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean basin, known transit zones for drugs passing from South and Central America into the United States. The US Defence Department, Justice and several other government agencies come together to detect, intercept and eventually prosecute those responsible.

“It is critical that our Coast Guard crews and partner agencies work persistently in ensuring these illegal drugs are stopped from coming to the streets of the United States,” said Cmdr. Michael Sarnowski, commanding officer of the Tahoma.

In all, the estimated street value of that much cocaine amounts to over $US170 million.